IV. The second reason why the Christian should wear this breast- plate of righteousness, and maintain the power of holiness so carefully taken from Satan's great design against it . . 299
V. The third reason, taken from the excellency of righteousness
and holiness ..... 301
VI. Contains the first instance, wherein the Christian is to express the power of holiness, and that is in his behaviour towards sin ; branched into several pai'ticulars . . . 306
VII. A second instance, wherein the power of holiness is to appear in
the Christian's life, i.e., in the duties of God's worship . . 309
VIII. A third instance, wherein the power of holiness must appear,
and that is in the Christian's worldly employments . .312
IX. Of expressing the power of holiness, in and to our family
relations . . . . . , 314
x. Of exercising the power of holiness in our carriage to our
neighbours without doors . . . .318
XI. Contains nine or ten dii-ections towards the helping those that
desire to maintain the power of a holy, righteous conversation 320 XII. Wherein the first policy or stratagem of Satan is defeated, which he useth to make the Christian throw away his breastplate of righteousness, as that which hinders the pleasure of his life • . . . . . 327
xin. Wherein is defeated Satan's second wile, by which he would cheat the Christian of his breastplate, presenting it as prejudicial to his worldly profits ... . . 331
XIV. Wherein is defeated the third stratagem Satan useth to disarm the Christian of his breastplate ; and that is by scaring him with the contradiction, opposition, and feud, from the world it brings . . . . . . 333
XV. Contains two uses of the point .... 335
XVI. An exhortation to the saints, in three branches . . . 340
' AND YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.'
— Ver. 15.
I. Wherein the gladsome news that the Gospel brings is declared from five particulars, requisite to fill up the joyfvdness of a message ; with a word to stir up our bowels in pitying those that never heard any of this news . . . 344
II. A lamentation for the unkind welcome that Gospel news finds in the world, with two or three sad grounds of fear, as to us in this nation ; taken from the present entertainment the Gospel hath amoug us, with a double exhortation to the Saints to rejoice in this joyous message, and chiefly in this . 347
III. A fourfold peace attributed to the Gospel, and in particular, peace of reconciliation, where it is proved there is a quarrel betwixt God and man ; as also that the Gospel can only take it up ; and why God thus laid the method of man's recovery so 352 IV. A more particular account why God reconciled sinners to himself
by Christ . . . . . .356
V. An exhortation to embrace this peace of reconciliation, offered in
the Gospel . . . . . , 360
VI. Four directions by way of counsel to sinners, yet in an imre-
conciled state, how they may be at peace with God . 365
CONTENTS.
Vll
CHAP.
VII.
XVII. XVIII.
An exhortation to sucli as are at peace with God, in six particvilars .....
That peace of conscience is a blessing to be obtained from the Gospel, and only the Gospel, with a double demonstration thereof . . . . . .
A reproof to three sorts of persons that offend against this peace which the Gospel brings ....
Where we have a trial of our peace from four characters of Gospel peace or comfort , . . .
That the Gospel alone can unite the hearts of men together in true peace, and how the Gosjjel doth it .
Wherein is shewn the difference between the peace that is among saints, and which is among the wicked, the greatness of their sin, who are ministers of peace, and yet stir up strife, and the reason why there is no more peace and unity among saints in this life. . . . . . .
An exhortation to the saints to maintain peace among them- selves, and promote it to their utmost, from three arguments .
The duty of a Christian to stand shod with a heart prepared for all sufferings, with one reason of the point
The second reason of the point taken from the excellency of this frame of spirit . . . . . .
The number of true Christians but little, shewn from this readi- ness to suffer, that is required in every Christian, more or less ; with an exhortation to the duty, from two arguments .
Six directions for the helping on of this Spii'itual shoe
Sheweth who is the person that is shod and prepared for suffer- ings, i. e., he that hath the Gospel's peace in his bosom, and how this peace doth prepare for suffering ; with a brief appli- cation of all .
370
373
379
384
388
392
394
401
407
410 413
417
' ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREBY YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED.' Ver. 16.
VI. VII.
VIII. IX.
The explication of the words in a fourfold inquiry . . 424
Sheweth the pre-eminence of faith above other graces, in four
particulars . . . , . .
Sheweth imbelief to have the precedency among sins, as faith
among gi-aces ....